Olimpia was able to play at Fenerbahce’s level before losing 81-76

Olimpia was anxious to find out where it stands at this point of its development as a team, against a top level Final Four team like Fenerbahce. The answer was a 40-minute effort and a close game that was resolved over the last few possessions by the talented guards that Fenerbahce feature, especially Wade Baldwin. The Turkish powerhouse won 81-76 in the end. However, Olimpia was capable to build a 10-point lead in the first half, to play 20 minutes in the second half that were a real battle, going down, coming back and in spurts gave the impression of having the chance to take control. It was a very good outing. Coach Ettore Messina used 12 men, dealt with foul trouble since the beginnings in a game that was affected by the eight more points Fenerbahce scored from the line. Olimpia shot the ball better from three-point range, tied the rebounding battle and had more assists. Some turnovers, several of them unforced, were another key factor. Fenerbahce used its physicality at the defensive end of the floor especially with Marko Guduric pressure on Shields and the ability of holding Nikola Mirotic to just four shots from the field.

Neno Dimitrijevic led the scorers with 14 points. He started his game with a huge long-distance three before going back to the bench with two personal fouls. However, he stayed in the game, scored a couple of baskets off broken plays and late in the game he looked like he was leading Olimpia with two mid-range jumpers to lead the game entering into homestretch. Down the stretch, he was paired with Leandro Bolmaro, before the latter fouled out. Bolmaro scored 13 points and had six assists. He drove with great energy, going to the rim, had a huge three-point play early in the game. His game was good if not for the foul troubles that plagued him.

Olimpia used different line-ups, a big one with Ricci at the 3 spot, a smaller one with Causeur and Brooks along a point guard and another with Mirotic and LeDay on the court at the same time. Brooks opened the game with a couple of huge threes; Causeur was a presence as always; McCormack and Diop spelled Nebo at the 5. LeDay gave the team his energy whatever positions he was used at.

Fenerbahce Istanbul-EA7 Emporio Armani Milano 81-76

Fenerbahce: Baldwin 14, Wilbekin 10, Melli 3, Sanli 4, Hayes-Davis 12, Hall 9, Pierre 2, Guduric 5, Zagars, Colson 7, Birch 6.

Olimpia: Dimitrijevic 14 (3/7, 2/7, 2/2, 5 r, 3 a), Causeur 6 (2/4 3p), Tonut 2 (1/!), Bolmaro 13 (5/7, 0/1, 3/3, 6 a), Brooks 6 (0/2, 2/4), LeDay 7 (2/2, 0/1, 3/6, 4 r), Ricci 3 (0/2, 1/1), Diop 3 (1/1, 1/2 ft), Shields 11 (0/4, 3/6, 2/2), Nebo 5 (1/3, 3/5 ft, 5 r), Mirotic 4 (2/3, 0/1, 6 r), McCormack 2 (2/2 ft).